Method For Projecting Biomass From A Combine Harvester

Abstract

A combine harvester and baler for biomass collection. In one embodiment, crop material such as the residue or material other than grain (MOG) from the back of the combine is directly projected toward a target on a baler collection device. A tailboard with defection panels may be used to alter the direction of the crop residue from the combine. The tongue of the baler is configured to not obstruct the crop material as the crop material is projected toward the baler. One or more knives of a chopper coupled to the combine may be configured to optimally project MOG toward the baler. Also, the stuffer chute of the baler may be configured to facilitate the flow of crop material such as MOG and therefore minimize obstructions. The crop material is transferred from the combine to the baler without the use of a conveyor.

1 . A method for projecting material from a combine to a baler, said method comprising the steps of:
 projecting material directly from said combine to a target on said baler; and   adjusting the trajectory of said material from said combine based on a control signal generated from at least one performance characteristic of said baler.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of detecting the distribution of said material in a baling chamber of said baler. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said adjusting the trajectory step comprises generating a control signal to orient at least one deflector to deflect at least a portion of said material and redirect said portion of material to said baler to obtain a more even distribution of said material in said baler. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said adjusting the trajectory step comprises said control signal actuating at least one actuator to orient said deflector. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step of depicting the orientation of said deflector on a display. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said projecting step comprises projecting at least a portion of said material through a tongue coupled to said baler. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of adjusting the trajectory of said material based on the orientation of said baler to said combine as combine traverses the ground. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of varying the speed of a chopper to project said material from said combine toward said target on said baler. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said adjusting the trajectory step comprises orienting first and second deflectors inward toward one another to narrow the flow of said material from said combine to said baler. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said adjusting the trajectory step comprises orienting at least one deflector laterally to deflect at least a portion of said material from said combine and to impact said target of said baler.